Directives from the Guardian

Shoghi Effendi

“In view of the importance of such a statement, he feels it
is his duty to explain that the Laws revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in
the Aqdas are, whenever practical and not in direct conflict
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with the Civil laws of the land, absolutely binding on every
believer or Bahá’í institution whether in the East or in the
West. Certain laws, such as fasting, obligatory prayers, the
consent of the parents before marriage, avoidance of alcoholic
drinks, monogamy, should be regarded by all believers as universally
and vitally applicable at the present time. Others have
been formulated in anticipation of a state of society destined
to emerge from the chaotic conditions that prevail today.

“When the Aqdas is published, this matter will be further
explained and elucidated. What has not been formulated in the
Aqdas, in addition to matters of detail and of secondary importance
arising out of the application of the laws already formulated
by Bahá’u’lláh, will have to be enacted by the Universal
House of Justice. This body can supplement but never invalidate
or modify in the least degree what has already been formulated
by Bahá’u’lláh. Nor has the Guardian any right whatsoever
to lessen the binding effect much less to abrogate the
provisions of so fundamental and sacred a Book…”